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May 1, 1944 - July 17, 2021
It is with great sadness we announce the passing of John Thomas Orr. Tom passed away peacefully in the early hours at Trail Regional Hospital on July 17, 2021 at the age of 77. He fought a courageous battle with cancer.
Tom was born in Kimberley on May 1st, 1944 to his parents John and Jennie Orr. He was raised in Kimberley and completed Grade 12 at Selkirk Secondary School in 1962.
Tom fell in love with Norma Maureen Rose at the age of 15. They were high school sweethearts and eventually married on July 17, 1965. They resided in Marysville and Montrose during their working years and retired to Trail in 2001.
Together they raised 3 boys and Tom took his job at home very seriously. He was a loving and devoted husband, father and grandfather.
Tom retired from Cominco Kimberley Operations after 34 years of service in 1999. During his career with Cominco, he held a number of senior positions retiring as Superintendent of Employee Relations at Cominco's Sullivan Mine. Tom was dedicated, committed, organized and efficient. All who worked with him respected him for his honesty, integrity, work ethic and high level of standards.
Tom was also a long time member of the Legion. He served as the secretary and treasurer for a number of years. He enjoyed spending time there in the latter part of his life having a cold beer or glass of wine and visiting with friends.
Throughout his life, Tom enjoyed playing and watching sports. He was involved with hockey, baseball, racquetball, tennis and golf. He loved nothing more than to take his family camping, fishing and boating. Tom, Norma and the boys spent many wonderful camping trips up St. Marys, and at Koocanusa and Premier Lakes listening to country music and sharing stories and laughs with friends and extended family.
After their retirement, Tom and Norma became snowbirds and enjoyed travelling to Arizona each winter with their long-time friends. They had many more plans to travel before Norma passed away suddenly in 2006. Tom was devastated to lose the love of his life, but being the strong man that he was he carried on and eventually met a new lady friend, Ngoc Tran. Together they travelled to California, Hawaii, Mexico, Japan and Vietnam. She was a bright light in his life these last few years.
Tom leaves to mourn his 2 remaining sons, Darryl and Tommy, his daughters in law Tamara, Violy, Kerri, his dear grandchildren Chanel, Eden, Brooklyn and Derek, his sister Marg (Monte) Luscher, sisters in law, Donna Orr and Sandy (Roy) Pagliaro and many nieces and nephews and Ngoc.
Tom was predeceased by his parents Jennie and John Orr, his wife Norma and son Shayne and his brothers Jimmy and Danny.
We are so thankful to have had these last few days at home with Dad. We will miss him terribly but are consoled by the fact that he is once again reunited with Mom and Shayne and is finally at peace.
There will be no funeral at Tom's request. Cremation has taken place and internment will take place at a later date in Marysville, BC. Bill Clark of Alternatives Funeral and Cremation ServicesTM has been entrusted with arrangements.
Special thanks to Dr. Wilson, Dr. Scotland and Dr. Mike Van Vliet.
As an expression of sympathy, donations may be made to the Trail Legion, Branch #11 at 2141 Columbia Ave, Trail, BC, V1R 1K8.
You are invited to leave a personal message of condolence at the family's online register at www.myalternatives.ca
Alternatives Funeral and Cremation Services


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